An agent which sent a touting letter to landlords telling them they could get higher rents has found itself at the centre of a major controversy.
More than 11,200 people have so far signed a petition objecting to the letter sent by a CJ Hole franchisee in Bristol. A protest march is planned for this Saturday.
The organiser of the petition, which accuses the business of exploiting tenants, is aiming for 15,000 signatures.
The plan is to deliver it during a demonstration this Saturday outside the Southville branch in Bristol of CJ Hole.
The row started with a letter apparently sent by CJ Hole to tenanted properties and opened by a tenant who posted it on Twitter.
CJ Hole is part of the Xperience brand which was last year acquired by Martin and Co. The Bristol franchisee in question, Paul Goverd, is said to be one of the most successful and dedicated in the network.
However, a second CJ Hole franchisee in Bristol has not only distanced itself from the letter but signed the petition.
Eye was unable to get any comment from CJ Hole or its parent company.
The letter to landlords at the centre of the storm is headed: “Are you getting enough rent.”
It told prospective landlords that it was “highly likely” that their properties were due a rent increase.
The petition tells CJ Hole to stop sending letters that encourage “excessive and unjustified rental increases”.
Petition organiser Nathan Williams said: “I was quite shocked to see such a crude and cynical attempt to profit from the housing crisis in Bristol.
“Estate agents should not be encouraging their landlord clients to raise rents in such a crude way. And the letter itself made no mention of tenants’ rights.”
One woman who signed the petition posted: “This is worrying and has obviously touched a big nerve in the city, but all the other agents are doing it too.”
Fellow franchisee Chris Hill, managing director of five CJ Hole offices in north Bristol, said: “I agree with the petition and have signed. My offices believe in good service as reason to use us, shame Southville have chosen this route.”
He added: “No office under my control sends these, nor will ever.”
The affair has been widely covered in the local media, raising issues such as security of tenure, rent caps and targeted evictions.
One Bristol agent watching from the sidelines and totally unrelated to CJ Hole, told Eye it was “an easy mistake to make” – sending a touting letter for a landlord to a tenanted property. The agent felt CJ Hole had made matters worse by not responding.
However, one source told Eye that the reality was that the franchisee was an honest and successful agent, simply drawing landlords’ attention to their ability to get the best possible rents that the local market would bear.
Comments (8)
How long before they re-brand as Martin & Co ?
Its a bit of a low blow with letters such as these.
I do understand why they did it but did they need to?
I would expect it from a new start up franchise not an established one.
Think a bit off another franchisee in the group signed a petition against them, a more dignified silence would have been better as opposed to harming the brand. (Just one of many problems being part of a franchise, relying on other business that can damage your reputation)
“more dignified silence would have been better” Sorry smile but have to disagree with you on that one. It works more in reverse ie sending out these types of letter tarnishes the brand for the other franchisees……especially when it leads to loads of negative publicity.
I agree it that the initial letter does damage (And if i was part of the franchise i would not be happy) But feel that the franchisee is doing more harm than good with the company name signing the petition. The public do not differentiate between offices just see the name of the company.
I just goes to show what a poor idea franchises are, you really so much on others for your reputation.
I’d be more concerned about the tenant who clearly opens post addressed to his landlord.
So rent increases are an agents fault?
Nothing to do with a housing shortage / inflation / increased immigration / people not being able to get on the property ladder?
All your points are relevant but this sort of touting is not on, as far as I’m concerned. Blanket comments like “highly likely to get more rent” cannot be substantiated and may not be in any one particular landlords’ interest. In the light of some of the current public opinion about letting in general this tout letter is totally irresponsible and only serves to worsen the situation, which is highlighted by the fact that a fellow franchisee has also signed the petition.
i agree that its irresponsible and devious from the agent. Interesting to see how it pans out